MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Luke 2:8-18

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
View Luke 2



Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G1). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Happy Sunday

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G1). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

December 2012 Visiting Teaching Handout

Here is a little handout that we are going to use when we go visit our sisters. We’ll probably take them some Christmas goodies, as well!! Our appointments are set up and we have already talked to each of sisters getting ready for December. YAY!! It doesn’t always happen this way . . . yahooo for December so far! If you want one that doesn’t have the copyright on it – just shoot me an email and I will send it to you in jpeg form.

Enjoy!
Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G1). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Happy Fast Sunday

Watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional Broadcast

• December 2, 2012

Date

2 December 2012

Location

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Members of the First Presidency at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional in 2011.
Article Highlights

• First Presidency Christmas Devotional
• Sunday, December 2, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. MST
• Broadcast.lds.org will offer live video of the devotional in 16 languages and live audio in several languages.

Related Links

• Read a summary of the 2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional.
• See a more detailed overview of last year’s devotional.
• Visit biblevideos.lds.org, a Church website announced during the 2011 devotional.
• Read more about biblevideos.lds.org.
• Watch an interview with several of the actors from the Bible videos.

The First Presidency invites Church members and others to view the satellite broadcast of the annual Christmas devotional, which will originate from the Conference Center on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. mountain standard time.
This devotional will include Christmas messages from the First Presidency and music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.
Tickets are no longer available, but standby seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The standby line is formed at the north gate of Temple Square. 
Broadcast.lds.org will offer live video of the devotional in 16 languages—American Sign Language, Cantonese, Cebuano, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, and Tongan—and live audio in several languages. These video and audio files will be archived on broadcast.lds.org shortly after the broadcast.
Live audio and video of the devotional will also be available in English and Spanish on mormonchannel.org.
Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G1). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

December Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching Message

Visiting Teaching, a Work of Salvation

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Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

Visiting Teaching, a Work of Salvation

Visiting teaching gives women the opportunity to watch over, strengthen, and teach one another—it is truly a work of salvation. Through visiting teaching, sisters minister in behalf of the Savior and help prepare women for the blessings of eternal life.

“We are ‘to warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite [others] to come unto Christ’ (D&C 20:59), as the Lord said in his revelations,” said President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985). Further, he said, “Your testimony is a terrific medium.”¹

When we as visiting teachers increase our knowledge of gospel truths, our testimonies strengthen and support sisters who are preparing to be baptized and confirmed. We help new members become anchored in the gospel. Our visits and love help “win back those who have gone astray [and] warm up the hearts of those who have grown cold in the gospel.”² And we encourage sisters to come unto Christ through temple attendance.

“You are going to save souls,” said President Kimball to visiting teachers, “and who can tell but that many of the fine active people in the Church today are active because you were in their homes and gave them a new outlook, a new vision. You pulled back the curtain. You extended their horizons. …

“You see, you are not only saving these sisters, but perhaps also their husbands and their homes.”³

From the Scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 20:59; 84:106; 138:56

From Our History

When the Prophet Joseph Smith organized the Relief Society, he said that the women were not only to look after the poor but also to save souls. He also taught that women in the Church play essential roles in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation.⁴ Guided by the principles taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith, we as sisters in Relief Society can work together to prepare women and their families for God’s greatest blessings.

“Let us have compassion upon each other,” said President Brigham Young (1801–77), “and let [those who are] strong tenderly nurse the weak into strength, and let those who can see guide the blind until they can see the way for themselves.”⁵

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?

1. How does Relief Society prepare me for the blessings of eternal life?

2. What can I do to increase the faith of those I watch over?

Another Happy Sunday!

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G1). Stepmom of 2. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton, Mattix and Andrew and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Desktop Background for October

Well, I have actually had this background done and just neglected to get it posted. It has been crazy normal around here and I plum forgot. :(

Alayna turns 1 next Sunday!! So excited for her!!! Gotta get that party planned and in to gear!! :) Curtis works on her birthday so maybe we will do something on the Friday that he is off. hmmmmm. :) She won’t know it is 5 days later than her birthday now will she!! ;)

This afternoon I am going to get the children dressed up and get their pictures taken. My wonderful Daddy has offered/volunteered/been dragged into doing it for me. I am very excited as he is a wonderful photographer!! Can’t wait to see the pics!! There are some things I can’t procrastinate and yearly pics of my children is one of them. I did that last year and have had the worst guilt feelings ever since. (boooo)

Can’t wait for Conference this weekend as well! Stay tuned because I will be sharing some of my favorite Things to Do for Conference later this week!!

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Wacky Wednesday

Why Wacky, you ask? Wednesdays are our crazy, busy days. The children have multiple activities going in different directions and mostly at the same time. :) Can be challenging and frustrating – especially since Curtis is on 2nd shift and I am doing all the transporting and picking up. Never wanted to be a chauffer.However, it is all for a good and wise purpose. Hopefully. :D

This past Sunday was GrandParents Day. The children were able to make cards for both sets of Grandparents. :) That was nice. However, I forgot to take the card with me when we met Curtis’ parents on Saturday. :( BOOOOO!! So, I will save it for them. The children called and talked to them instead. We went over to my parents house and stayed for awhile and did remember to bring the giant-sized card that they made. YAY!!

Clayton, Taryn and Quade are doing school with Mercury Online School. It is a College Prep school. I like it for the Elementary School. I didn’t like the organization of the Middle School program and have since pulled Kierstyn and Kaity out of it. Yesterday, in fact. Kaity was a bit overwhelmed with 6 online teachers and the pacing and no clear cut directions on things. (Kierstyn had the SAME problems when we started the school last quarter.) The way it is set up is easy to forget about things and not see that things are due. Although we have ALL learned sooooo very much regarding computers and uploading documents, scanning, emailing, etc. It has been great and I have been impressed with how quickly the children (at least the three bigger ones) had caught on to all of that. Clayton is even doing better at it.

Kierstyn and Kaity are doing Lighthouse Academy. :) They are studying Church History and reading The Work and the Glory series. They will have lots of essays to write and oral presentations on it. There are lots of spelling/definitions going a long with it. They will also have Science Projects and Art Projects weekly. They will have Math minutes daily – testing them on their basic math skills. LOVE IT! I think it will be good. There is also time for Scripture reading and Gospel Study as well as journal writing and testimony building. I LOVE THAT! So, I have high hopes that it will work and be good for them. We prayed and fasted on Sunday and Kaity and I (she was the one with the ‘issues’) both felt like this was the direction we needed to go. Kierstyn volunteered herself to participate in it. Awesome!

Cori has been on her mission now for over a month (by a week) and has been in Indiana for 2 weeks. (I think) We are so proud of her and have lots of prayers and thoughts on her behalf. I need to be better at sending the letters though. :( Just thinking of her ISN”T enough! GOAL: Send Cori weekly letters!!!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

September Visiting Teaching Message

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Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

Special Needs and Service Rendered

“The needs of others are ever present,” said President Thomas S. Monson, “and each of us can do something to help someone. … Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.”¹

As visiting teachers we can sincerely come to know and love each sister we visit. Service to those we visit will flow naturally out of our love for them (see John 13:34–35).

How can we know the spiritual and temporal needs of our sisters so we can render service when it is needed? As visiting teachers, we are entitled to receive inspiration when we pray about those we visit.

Maintaining regular contact with our sisters is also important. Personal visits, telephone calls, a note of encouragement, e-mails, sitting with her, a sincere compliment, reaching out to her at church, helping her in time of illness or need, and other acts of service all help us watch over and strengthen each other.²

Visiting teachers are asked to report the well-being of sisters, any special needs they have, and the service rendered to them. These kinds of reports and our service to our sisters help us demonstrate our discipleship.³

 

From the Scriptures

John 10:14–16; 3 Nephi 17:7, 9; Moroni 6:3–4

 

From Our History

Serving one another has always been at the heart of visiting teaching. Through ongoing service we bring kindness and friendship that go beyond monthly visits. It is our caring that counts.

“My desire is to plead with our sisters to stop worrying about a phone call or a quarterly or monthly visit,” said Mary Ellen Smoot, the 13th Relief Society general president. She asked us to “concentrate instead on nurturing tender souls.”⁴

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught, “It is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom.” Yet he recognized that not all service need be heroic. “So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving … help with mundane tasks,” he said, “but what glorious consequences can flow … from small but deliberate deeds!”⁵

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

 

What Can I Do?

1. Am I seeking personal inspiration to know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister I’m assigned to watch over?

2. How do the sisters I watch over know that I care about them and their families?

 

Make your appointments today!! And . . . as always . . .

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Monthly Calendar Background

I have been working on Calendar backgrounds for our computers (of which there are 7 . . . don’t ask!) =)

 

You *should* be able to right click on it and click on “Set as Desktop Background”. :) Voila! You have a calendar on your desktop! LOVE IT!!

Let me know if you have any suggestions or needs for future ones. :) I already have Septembers ready to go! =) I am going to be prepared!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Personal Progress

I have decided to work on my Personal Progress with Kierstyn. It is a slow process. I am trying to read and understand what the Scriptures are telling me and then try to pray about it and have those ‘qualities’ or gifts help me in my own life. It has, so far, been an amazing experience. If you click on Personal Progress (anywhere I type it) it will take you to the Church Website where it explains it in greater (better) detail. You can set up your own account (You do NOT have to be a member!!!). Then work on your own. I love the fact that the journal and everything is online. How much easier it is to get my thoughts in order when I can just type it in. =)
The Value I want to touch on today is Divine Nature.  

Personal Progress

Divine Nature

Be partakers of the divine nature. … Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (2 Peter 1:4–7).
I have inherited divine qualities, which I will strive to develop.

1 

What are some of the divine qualities of a daughter of God? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”; 2 Peter 1; Alma 7:23–24; and Doctrine and Covenants 121:45. In your own words, list the divine qualities discussed in your reading. Think about how you can discover and develop each of these qualities. Record your ideas in your journal.

I love how “SIMPLE” it is. HAHA Just kidding. I mean if I am really taking time to read the scriptures and learn from them – it is quite a process. I am not going to write all of my journal entry but, I will share a part of it.

The Divine Qualities that were discussed in these readings were:
1) being a mother/parent/wife.
2) Faith
3) Charity
4) Virtue
5) Hope
6) Humble
7) Submissive
8) Temperate
9) Patient & Long Suffering
10) Prayerful
11) Diligent
12) Having brotherly kindness
13)

You may come up with more or less or different ones. But these are the ones that I am focusing on. I wrote a second journal entry with my thoughts and feelings.
Take a moment and try it out. We can work on it together. You can share your thoughts here, too!
Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Spinach Salad

Salad

1 package bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 pound swiss cheese, grated
2 large bags of fresh spinach
1 head of lettuce, choppped

Dressing

3/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 medium purple onion, sliced thinly
1 1/2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
1 cup vegetable or olive oil
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. dry mustard
1 tbsp. onion salt

Mix the dressing and let sit for at least two hours.  Then, pour the dressing on the salad and toss and serve.  The dressing keeps in the fridge for a few days, if you don't want to toss it all at once, since the salad is so huge!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Taking Action in Time of Need

Learn more about Visiting Teaching here.

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Prayerfully study this material and, as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.

Taking Action in Time of Need

As visiting teachers, one of our purposes is to help strengthen families and homes. The sisters we visit should be able to say, “If I have problems, I know my visiting teachers will help without waiting to be asked.” In order to serve, we have a responsibility to be conscious of the needs of the sisters we visit. When we seek inspiration, we will know how to respond to the spiritual and temporal needs of each sister we are assigned to visit. Then, using our time, skills, talents, prayers of faith, and spiritual and emotional support, we can help give compassionate service during times of illness, death, and other special circumstances.¹

Through the help of reports from visiting teachers, the Relief Society presidency identifies those who have special needs because of physical or emotional illness, emergencies, births, deaths, disability, loneliness, or other challenges. The Relief Society president then reports her findings to the bishop. Under his direction, she coordinates assistance.²

As visiting teachers we can have “great reason … to rejoice” because of “the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work” (Alma 26:1, 3).

 

From the Scriptures

Matthew 22:37–40; Luke 10:29–37; Alma 26:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

 

From Our History

In the early years of the Church, membership was small and centralized. Members could respond quickly when someone was in need. Today our membership is over 14 million and is spread throughout the world. Visiting teaching is part of the Lord’s plan to provide help for all His children.

“The only system which could provide succor and comfort across a church so large in a world so varied would be through individual servants near the people in need,” said President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“… Every bishop and every branch president has a Relief Society president to depend upon,” he continued. “She has visiting teachers, who know the trials and the needs of every sister. She can, through them, know the hearts of individuals and families. She can meet needs and help the bishop in his call to nurture individuals and families.”³

For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

 

What Can I Do?

1. Am I using my gifts and talents to bless others?

2. Do the sisters I watch over know that I am willing to help them when they have a need?

A Handy Handout! :)

Our Thursday

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven."

—Thomas S. Monson

Well, I didn’t end up making bread for visiting teaching and Camille got sick so I took Taryn with me instead. It was all good. Bev is leaving on Friday to visit with her daughter in Georgia so I knew we better get over there. Today I am going to try to put together a “Trip Survival Kit” for her. I can drop it off tomorrow night. :) We’ll see if I make it happen!!

I have to get the kiddies to practice their song for Cori’s farewell. We were doing so good at practicing twice a day but then the ‘real weekend’ happened and we got out of the groove. SO! I will round them up to practice. Let me insert here that I am really and truly going to miss my Cori. Every time we practice I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. She is amazing and I know that she will thrive on this experience – it is just hard to see her go. Everything changes when you leave and come home. But we will love her more for having gone – absence makes the heart grow fonder and all of that.

Today I am Chore Boss. Trying to get them to get their rooms clean so their friends can come over in the afternoon tomorrow. Fun times. Love being ‘mean mom’ but, them completing chores is a good thing. I usually have them try to do their chores (big ones) when Dad is home (then I have back-up) but, they just might need to work longer and harder today. (their rooms were pretty bad – it was definitely time!)

 Tomorrow we are having cable hooked up again. So happy we will be able to watch the Olympics!! Curtis wanted to be able to watch ASU football when the season starts. :) We’ll probably get rid of it in January when the season (football) is over and the “special'” is up!! Can’t wait for the Olympics (& Food Network!) Friday we are playing cards with my parents and sister. We are having Loaded French Fries for dinner. I think I will make a pot of pinto beans to go with. :) yum! Course, a pot of beans calls for yummy corn bread. . . I know what is for Supper tomorrow! (we have early Supper with Curtis before he goes to work. The kids and I for ‘dinner’ just scrounge and rummage through leftovers! It’s been good so far!)

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Tuesday (or Wednesday) . . .

"Waiting upon the Lord gives us a priceless opportunity to discover that there are many who wait upon us. Our children wait upon us to show patience, love, and understanding toward them. Our parents wait upon us to show gratitude and compassion. Our brothers and sisters wait upon us to be tolerant, merciful, and forgiving. Our spouses wait upon us to love them as the Savior has loved each one of us."

—Robert D. Hales

Yay today is Curtis’ Wednesday!! :) 11 days vacation coming up in 2 days! I can’t wait. We have been trying to get the childrens’ areas organized – loft and bedrooms. They have kind of gotten a bit out of hand. Part of the problem is the Loft becomes Laundry Central for sorting and folding laundry. So, then if we get the least behind it gets stacked up – especially with their being 9 of us in the family. I have decided to work with Kierstyn and Kaity and get them some Home Management Books for them to work with themselves. Tips and tricks and examples of clean, etc. I am going to use the pocket folder like this one below.
They will be able to use it for a LONG time – which is all part of the whole teaching thing. :) I need to think of something for Clayton. He is at the age where he can start learning how to do specific things, too. *** NOTE: Clayton does chores - I am talking about specific HOME things that will enable him to be a prepared Son of God as he grows older *** Household management is not a GIRL thing. It’s a FAMILY thing and it would behoove him and his brothers to LEARN this so that when they go on Missions and go to College they will be able to take care of themselves. Also, when they get married they won’t be a burden to their wife. :)
I feel tired and sluggish today, so I think I will have to do some bread baking. That always makes me feel better! I LOVE the smell of fresh bread rising and then baking. mmmmmmmmm :) Hey! Maybe when I go Visiting Teaching with Camille tonight I can take Bev and her Mom a loaf. :) YAY good idea!! Off I go . . . well, after we grill burgers and eat yummy potato salad for lunch. Curtis will be leaving in less than 2 hours now. :’( BUT it IS Wednesday!!
Here is a video for you to enjoy for a good laugh:

Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Motherhood

“I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.”

~ Helen Keller

We had a fantastic “weekend” even though Curtis’ was working. It was the worlds’ weekend, not our weekend. Starting Friday Curtis has 11 days off ~~ I cannot wait!! :) So fun!

“Whatever happened to home being the center of the family, a haven of refreshment, a thriving metropolis of productivity? Instead, there are elaborate McMansions that are devoid of life. … We don’t have to follow along in this madness. Our families deserve something better – they deserve a beautiful, welcoming home which is the heart of the family and the center for outreach to the world. Maybe our home isn’t furnished very expensively and maybe it isn’t very big , but we can do our best to recapture the nobility and rightful place of home in our society, beginning with our own home.”

~~ Crystal Paine

Sometimes it is so easy to get lost in the day to day that I forget to appreciate my children – especially because they are home with me 24/7. BUT! Having said that, I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I think of allowing others to teach my children and take that responsibility for their learning upon themselves, I can’t agree to that. Luckily Curtis and I are completely together on this. He is awesome because we have discussed it and he tells me how he feels but that ultimately, it IS ME that is home with them and I can only do what I have the ‘ability’ for (whether that is patience, teachability, desire, etc.). So, it works well. He listens when I am frustrated and then I get ‘grounded’ again and get my focus back. We make a great team. With his new schedule for work, he is getting to actually spend more quality time with the children too. He isn’t dead tired after work because he is spending time with the children BEFORE work. He really is amazing. :) I am a lucky girl.

You’ll have to go to my cooking blog (here) and check out the Amish Cookies recipe. So EASY and So Good!! I was trying to look up some yummy Indiana-ish recipes for my niece to try before she heads off on her Misison to the Indiana Indianapolis Mission!! (greatest mission EVAH!). Anyway, it has a lot of Amish country and I was blessed to serve in one of the heavily Mennonite/Amish areas and got “homesick” for some of that and started looking up Amish recipes. :) So fun & TASTY!!! I will have to share my easy peasy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole recipe – Its whats for dinner tonight. As soon as I hit “ENTER” I am going to go dish it up!! YUM!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!! Congratulations to Josh and Ashley!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Glowing & Loving it! :)

“If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself.”

~ Thomas S. Monson

 

Yesterday was an enjoyable day spending time with the family. Wednesday we went to Curtis’ parents house and the kiddies swam and ate hamburgers and hot-n-doggies. :) Fun times! Yesterday we stayed home and my parents came over in the late afternoon and we played Pinochle and my sister came a little before 6 and we ate Nacho’s. (the homemade kind). FUN TIMES!! Michelle stepped in and played for whomever needed a break (restroom, feeding Alayna, etc). So, it works out perfect. I love it. My kiddies did really well playing – although the boys are in wrestling mode lately and it is driving-me-crazy!!! Anyway, a little inside scoop on the Judd Family drama! lol

Today we slept in (getting Curtis ready to work the 2nd shift and possibly not come home until 3am). Curtis fixed waffles and then we went for a drive in the drizzley rain. So fun! Sent off my check to get deposited (piano lessons) and tried to get Taryn’s boots – but the mail man hasn’t delivered them yet. :( She was sad. (pink cowgirl boots). Waiting for UPS to deliver my Birthday STAMPIN’ UP! stuff!! :) WOO HOO!! Curtis is napping right at this minute – which is why I am on the computer. Otherwise I would be spending the time with him. The kiddies are at the kitchen table playing board games (making up their own, I think, maybe – maybe not.) Curtis leaves in less than a 1/2 hour. Kierstyn and Kaity are going to go shopping with their Grandma and Aunt Michelle for swim suits – VERY MODEST ones. EXTREMELY MODEST ones. I am staying on home with the younger 5 and we will bake cookies and eat them and maybe watch “Dr. Who” which they love. (weird, I know). on Netflix. Tonight I am going to a Card Making Meeting with my BFF Camille. CAN! NOT! WAIT! :)

I thought I would talk about the Book I am reading a little bit more. Ms. McBride says: “Much is required of us. Our days are filled with many tasks that can sometimes seem mundane and of little worth, but if we can grasp the incredible truth of what sacrificial service really means, then our entire outlook will be transformed. When done for the Lord, the commonplace will become noble, the prosaic will become beautiful, and the unimportant will become valuable. . . Under the constant attack of our humanistic culture, we can lose our vision and forget the value and worth of our position, becoming self-absorbed, miserable, and discontent.We can abdicate our thrones and never leave the palace.The Deceiver would have us in just such a condition; one that would render us weak, hopeless and ineffective. For “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Can I just repeat that I LOVE this book. It has given me fresh eyes to see what is right before me. My family has always been a priority. However, recently, I think, I was lost in the ‘everyday drudge’ and wasn’t feeling appreciative. So, this book woke me up again to the true value of being a Stay-at-home-Mom. It really is the best job and I love it. It is good to have reminders of the Eternal Perspective and remember who I am and Who my Children Are. That is critical to always have that as a reminder because it makes me WANT to do better and be better. As a mom. As a wife. As a person. As a friend. Everything. I think this blog will be my journey in appreciation for the great gift of Husband and Children: Family that I have been blessed with. And I really have been blessed with these things. I have always known that.

 

 Make it a great one!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Queen of the Home

"Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."

—Richard G. Scott

I have been excited to get to reading this book. It was put together by a Christian woman named Jennifer M. McBride.It came in the mail yesterday (I ordered it at the same time I ordered the childrens’ handwriting booklets). On the back cover it summarizes the purpose of the book:

“In past generations, the role of wife and mother was viewed as a sacred calling. The committed homemaker was seen as strong, capable, intelligent and irreplaceable. She was regarded not only as a crucial part of the home, but as a foundational bulwark of society. She was considered  worthy of great honor, appreciation, and respect. Though the purveyors of feminism have sought in recent years to demean this glorious calling and discredit its importance, the Bible’s hopeful vision of noble womanhood is one worth reclaiming. This volume seeks to cast this vision afresh through encouraging essays, poetry, and quotes from writers past and present. This inspiring collection of vignettes paints a beautiful picture of what it means for a wife to be a crown to her husband, the monarch of the cradle, and queen of the home, as well as for daughters to embrace their rewarding role as regal women of God.”

I am VERY much enjoying this book. The whole idea of being Queen of my Home is a lovely concept to me!! “The Godly wife and mother is no household drudge, weak doormat or mindless parasite. She is a mighty warrior queen who fights righteous battles at her husband’s side and reigns with him over the home and domain God has given them as they work together for Christ’s eternal Kingdom and glory.” ~ Ms. McBride. I love that!! THAT is exactly how I picture it! What greater purpose is there than to teach and nurture my children and love and supporting my husband. I think this goes along perfectly with my own personal belief system. I like how Ms. McBride says, “While beauty and aesthetics certainly have their place, Biblical womanhood is not about furthering and promoting ourselves at all – it is about obeying the Word of God and dying to self. It is about advancing Christ’s Kingdom {in our own corner of the world}. It is about the purpose for which we were created the Almighty God.”. I LOVE THAT!!

I have been blessed with a man who respects me and honors me as a wife and mother in our home. What more can I ask for? Is our life perfect? (nay!) Do we have problems and issues that we have to work through and deal with? (absolutely!) But, because we are focused on the Eternal Perspective and not a here and now perspective we are able to work better together. We are able to do more and be more. I am so lucky to have him. He is amazing and perfect for me.

One thing that I believe strongly is: I don’t need time AWAY from my family to be a better wife and mother. When I have time away, I find I am less patient and understanding upon my return. Especially if it is for any length of time. I hate that. I know that I need a date with my Honey as frequently as possible – this helps NURTURE our relationship. When I spend time with my children, if I am doing it correctly, I am NURTURING my relationship with them. This is what I need. This is what they need. We don’t need outside activities to draw us closer together – that does just the opposite. Those things do NOT make my children better people. If I have to “find them activities” to do during the summer to keep the away from my home and out of ‘my hair’ then I am doing something VERY wrong. This is MY value system for MY family. I do not judge how someone else wants to do their own value system for THEIR family. Everyone is different and we are all inspired to nurture our families in the best way for our family. It is up to us to follow our personal revelation and inspiration for our own families.

Here is a wonderful scripture to remember: Proverbs 31:10: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. Ms. McBride goes on to say, “Although Feminism continues her barrage against Biblical womanhood, we must refuse to heed her lies anymore. Let us victoriously reclaim our thrones for the sake of our families, the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom, and the glory of God.”

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Wednesday, Wednesday

"We each have moments of spiritual power, moments of inspiration and revelation. We must sink them deep into the chambers of our souls. As we do, we prepare our spiritual home storage for moments of personal difficulty."

—Neil L. Andersen

 

 

Right now I am listening to 5 of my children (Alayna is still asleep and Quentin just runs around laughing) play “Do you love your neighbor”. I like days where they play well together. LOVE IT!!

Today is Curtis’ Day off. We are doing things as a family. Going to his parents and hanging out playing games with the kiddies. Tomorrow we are playing cards with my parents.  Tonight Curtis has his Elders Quorum meeting and some home teaching. Kierstyn has Young Womens. Kaity has Activity Days. Clayton has a Den Meeting. Fun times! :) Wednesdays are our busy day. I wish our Primary Meeting was meeting today and NOT tomorrow. That would be awesome!

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

July Visiting Teaching Message

Demonstrating Our Discipleship through Love and Service

Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor” (Mosiah 4:16). He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.
Our service as visiting teachers will closely resemble the ministry of our Savior when we show our love for those we visit teach by doing the following:
--> Remember their names and the names of their family members and become acquainted with them.
-->Love them without judging them.
--> Watch over them and strengthen their faith “one by one,” as the Savior did (3 Nephi 11:15).
--> Establish sincere friendships with them and visit them in their homes and elsewhere.
--> Care about each sister. Remember birthdays, graduations, weddings, baptisms, or other times that are meaningful to her.
--> Reach out to new and less-active members.
--> Reach out to the lonely or those in need of comfort.

From the Scriptures

3 Nephi 11:
The Father testifies of his Beloved Son—Christ appears and proclaims his atonement—The people feel the wound marks in his hands and feet and side—They cry Hosanna—He sets forth the mode and manner of baptism—The spirit of contention is of the devil—Christ’s doctrine is that men should believe and be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost
Moroni 6:4:
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:47:
And visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.

From Our History

“The New Testament includes accounts of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ. … These women became exemplary disciples. … [They] journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. After His death and Resurrection, [they] continued to be faithful disciples.”
Paul wrote of a woman named Phoebe, who was “a servant of the church” (Romans 16:1). He asked the people to “assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many” (Romans 16:2). “The kind of service rendered by Phoebe and other great women of the New Testament continues today with members of the Relief Society—leaders, visiting teachers, mothers, and others—who act as succorers, or helpers, of many.”
For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

What Can I Do?

How am I increasing my ability to nurture others?
What am I doing to ensure that the sisters I watch over know that I love them?

 
Make it a great one!!
About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Family

"Those who diligently seek to learn of Christ eventually will come to know Him.

They will personally receive a divine portrait of the Master, although it most often comes in the form of a puzzle—one piece at a time. Each individual piece may not be easily recognizable by itself; it may not be clear how it relates to the whole. Each piece helps us to see the big picture a little more clearly. Eventually, after enough pieces have been put together, we recognize the grand beauty of it all. Then, looking back on our experience, we see that the Savior had indeed come to be with us—not all at once but quietly, gently, almost unnoticed."

— Dieter Uchtdorf

 

I can’t believe that July has Officially arrived and is nearly half over. CRAZY! I had a wonderful birthday. Ashley texted and Jessica texted a couple times. Spent the night before with my family having a birthday partay and then the day of my birthday was relaxing. I put ribs in the slow cooker with some corn on the cob halves, potatoes and carrots. I also made a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. DEEEELICIOUS! MMMMMM! House smelled YUMMILICIOUS! Food tasted deeelicious! My sister Michelle came over around 11 and my parents came over around 1 and we played cards. and played cards. and played cards. My parents stayed until 11. LOVE IT! We have plans to play Pinochle this Thursday, too! (after Curtis goes hometeaching and my Primary Presidency Meeting). FUN TIMES! I love being with my family!

Our Summer fun plan for this week is BOARD GAME FRIDAY! We are turning off all ELECTRICAL devices (except maybe the computer for music listening needs) and playing board games. I think we might keep this for during the school year as well. :) Hopefully it will help the children learn to ‘work’ together better. Curtis works everyday but Wednesday and Thursday. So, Today is our family’s Thursday. :) Next week his days off are Thursday and Friday. It isn’t as complicated as it seems but kind of it. :) Luckily I have it all in my calendar!! (shaded areas are days off and circled area is possible time off!)

Let me end my post by expressing my love for my family. :) I really do love them and have been so blessed from having them in my life. :) From my parents, my husband and his family (brothers and sisters  and in laws etc.) and the steps, the in laws and the Juniors and the Grands. We have been blessed!

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Happy Monday!

God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe.

- Jeffrey R. Holland

It is July already – my birthday month – can’t believe it! Time flies by so fast these days. My goal for the children is to get a schedule that is workable for getting things done – chores, fun time, etc so the house stays picked up and doesn’t look like a tornado is going through it. I am going to have Kierstyn be a “trainer” so she can help train the younger ones to do some things. Hopefully this will help them learn more as opposed to fighting me about it. :) Make it more fun or something! I also want some time in there that we (even though Dad will be at work) can play games together. I have really great memories of playing games (board games) with family and my friends around the neighborhood. Good times!

 

Another thing I am working on this week is the food prep and final clean for Cori’s (my niece) Missionary Shower. She is leaving for the MTC on August 1st to the same mission I went to 22 years ago!! The Indiana Indianapolis Mission – Greatest Mission with the Greatest People on earth! :) Seriously – she will LOVE it!! I know that I did. Anyway, I am having a missionary shower for her so it can help her get the things that she needs! :) So excited for her!! She is going to be an AMAZING Missionary! Truly – she is a remarkable person. We went through the Temple on Saturday with her. AMAZING!! The Spirit was so strong. It was an incredible experience. She is awesome and I heart her!!

My birthday is on Wednesday – the 4th of July. YAY!! I am having my Party with the extended family on Tuesday and keeping things simple on Wednesday. I want to play cards with my parentitos and my sister and just hang out and be relaxed. I am going to make baby rack ribs in the crock pot with corn on the cob and potatoes. YUMMY!! I am also going to make a Strawberry Shortcake Trifle. DEEEELicious!! :) Can’t wait! My Niece Cori is making my birthday cake for the family party. Fun times!!

 

My goal this month is to have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and to really work on strengthening my relationships with each of my children! This feels really important to me right now. Top Priority!!

 

 

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!

Introductions, Please

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

—Alma 37:37

        

October 2003                                          November 2011

     

 

     

I am Tammy and I am a daughter, sister, wife, stepmother, mother, friend. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am a writer for Bella Online and have dabbled in guest writing for other groups as well. I LOVE writing and find it a good way to process my feelings and thoughts. :) I am married to my best friend – Curtis – we just had our 13th Anniversary and on July 25th we will have been married longer than he and his first wife. This makes me happy as now we can have all of our firsts together. :) He has two children from his previous marriage. Josh (and his wife Ashley and son Peyton and another due in December – WAHOOOOO!) lived with us for the first 4 years of our marriage and then moved in with his Mom. So we technically have never had ALONE time. So, I am looking forward to retirement – hahahaha. Josh was born in July after my Sophomore year of High School. Jessica was born the August after my Senior year. Jessica (& Carl and baby Andrew) lived with her Mom except for a brief 4 month (or less) period of time during her High School years. Curtis and I together have 7 children. Kierstyn   – 12 (she is away at YW Camp this week – I miss her), Kaity – 11 (she can’t wait to turn 12 so she can go to YW camp!!), Clayton – 9 (he is my allergic, asthmatic, rashy, squishy son!), Taryn – 6 (my drama queen, dancer girl), Quade – 5 (my happy unless he is angry, very, very angry son), Quentin –23 months (my petite, slow growing, cute as a button, smiley son) and last but certainly not least Alayna – 8 months (my loud, happy walking furniture, face squincher-upper girl). They are all precious (including the Steps and the Grandchildren). I love all of them and have been immensely blessed by having each one of them (including Ashley and Carl) in my life. 

I have been blessed with a wonderful family and the opportunity to stay home with my children. We have chosen to ‘school them at home’ using an online charter school called Mercury Online School. Previously we used K12 and enjoyed our experience there for over 3 years, but I found my Kindergartner (now 1st grader) wasn’t doing as well as I wanted her to. I also found that the older children weren’t getting as much out of K12 as they needed to be. With MOA they have teachers that they report to at least 1 time per week. Plus they get frequent interaction with other children their age in “discussion groups”, chats and emails. I love that. My goal this next year is to get them involved in some kind of groups so they have something to do at least one time a week with kids (other than Church sponsored activities.) So, I have big plans!

The purpose of this blog is to kind of journal our trek through life. I had another blog that I chronologged quite a bit of family history but it was hacked by a non-fan, shall we say, and I gave it up. So, it has been at least 2 years since I have blogged. I have missed the outlet. I figure it is Summer time and this is a good opportunity to get back in the habit again. Let’s get one thing straight from the beginning: I am not perfect – nor is my family perfect – nor do I try to claim for us/me to be. We are doing the best we can in the world WE live in.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Make it a great one!!

About Tammy: Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother of 7 (ages: G12, G11, B8, G6, B5, B2, G6mos). Stepmom of 2: ages B 25, G 22. Mother in law to two, Grandma to Peyton and Andrew (With another on the way - due in December!!) and blogger at BellaOnline!! Happy & Satisfied!!